It was an England debut to remember for Chelsea midfield Ruben Loftus-Cheek as he showed his class against Germany at Wembley Stadium.

Gareth Southgate had his doubters when he took the decision to select the 21-year-old as one of three youngsters to be called up to the senior side for the November internationals alongside Liverpool's Joe Gomez and Tammy Abraham, another player with ties to Stamford Bridge.

Both Abraham and Loftus-Cheek found themselves linking up in the final third as the former joined Jamie Vardy up front while the latter roamed about between the lines trying to find space, pick a pass and run at his opponents.

Ahead of kick-off his manager told ITV Sport: "He’s an exciting talent. A player particularly good at driving at the opposition when he’s in midfield. Very powerful but good technical ability."

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However, Southgate also admitted that Loftus-Cheek might pull a few surprises too. "He’s one that maybe the public may not know too much about," he said. By the half-time, there was little doubt that the hype around the Chelsea youngster, currently on-loan at Crystal Palace, was at least partly justified.

It took him time to find his feet in the match but as the opening 45 minutes went on he grew into the game, and in the final moments before the break threatened to put England ahead, as a direct goal threat and through his passing from deep.

First, he charged into the box to receive a ball only to get his footwork. Then he picked up possession just beyond the half-way line and fired a wonderfully crafted delivery over the top to meet Jamie Vardy's run.

Early in the half, he had shown his confidence and skill in close quarters, nutmegging Leroy Sane and then spinning into a Cruyff turn as he took on another Chelsea player in Antonio Rudiger. The defender couldn't get to grips with the midfielder and gave away a foul.

His challenge was heavier than might have been expected from a footballer on the same books at club level as his opponent but Loftus-Cheek was taking liberties, and seemingly enjoying the chance to test a side that will head to Russia next summer as the holders of the World Cup.

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There were other moments where he showed up where his game still needs work too. From the opening minutes he showed he was capable of popping up in awkward and dangerous positions only for a slight fumble or poorly anticipated touch to let him down.

It may have been early nerves. He gained more poise and composure as the clock ticked on, especially after Southgate moved over to the left of midfield.

From there, Loftus-Cheek seemed to find it easier to find gaps on the inside rather than drifting out to the right to get caught up in individual battles that offered the chance to show his strength and talent, but didn't bring about too many openings for England.

Yet he continued to roam, shifted back and forth, from one side to the other, leaving Jake Livermore to cover the ground while he tried to make himself available for a pass.

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It was a very intelligent and mature approach to the game that made him the focal point of his team's moves, collecting possession from one of the deeper figures in Southgate's side, such as captain Eric Dier, before bringing the ball forward or looking for a positive pass to find a runner.

He also used the full-backs well, linking up with Kieran Trippier in the first half and later bringing Danny Rose into play too. When he wasn't attempted to produce the final ball he was usually the player playing the pass before the cross or to slip a colleague through to try and create a chance themselves.

There were moments where he was closed down and he coped well with the attention, using his six-foot-three frame and long legs to shield the ball and out muscle his challengers, or win a foul.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek controls the ball as he is chased down by Germany's Ilkay Gundogan. (Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

In the second half, he seemed to drop deeper to take more responsibility for keeping and using possession, freeing up Dier and Livermore to make runs of their own into wide areas.

Rather than leaving England exposed or compromising their shape, he showed had the positional sense and awareness of danger to keep Southgate's back three secure.

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Overall, it was very impressive debut by the Chelsea youngster, who has already won the player of the month award for Crystal Palace, an honour that came with caveats given their struggles at the bottom of the Premier League this eason.

However, Loftus-Cheek's performance against Germany at Wembley showed that the honour was earned on merit by a player who certainly should be able to force his way into the picture back at Stamford Bridge on his return, no matter what happens at Selhurst Park between now and the end of May 2018.

Accomplished if not polished, the 21-year-old showed exactly why he has been so highly-rated for so long by fans of the Blues - the question for the player's future is whether Conte was watching.